#BILLCSTop30 #486 – June 27, 2016

All eyes on the top of the chart in this edition as there’s a new #1 and loads of activity.  As a result, newer songs make smaller moves, and even the fastest riser on the chart only moves up 5 places.  I like a good competition! 🙂

The Top 10

  • It was only a matter of time, but either in its original version or its love struck-sounding remix by EDWYNN x TIKAL and Spirix, Brandon Skeie’s “So Bad” (above) displaces Connor Phillips’ “Lost” (Young Bombs remix) at #1.  With Eli Lieb, Brandon also co-wrote and sang “Pulse” (below) during the past two weeks, a warm and inspiring song written in the aftermath of the Orlando tragedy.

  • It’s summer in the western world and no song on the chart suits the summer months better than “Dreamin'” by Embody featuring Camden Cox, which climbs 7-3.
  • Another romance-oriented remix by Speaker Of The House surfaced to show what a great, diverse song Elephante has in “Closer” (featuring Bishøp).  “Closer” really does deserve to be a pop hit.  It moves up 6-4. 

  • Jenaux’s powerfully funky and fresh “Get It On” arrives in the Top 10 at #8.  Got any platform shoes handy? 😉

  • It says something when you get to play a free show in Times Square, and NYC natives The Chainsmokers are doing just that tomorrow (Monday June 27).  If they perform “Don’t Let Me Down” perhaps Daya will be present too.  The song rises 12-9

  • The Knocks and Semi-Precious Weapons singer (and now noted songwriter) Justin Tranter are a great pairing, and “Tied To You” becomes The Knocks’ third song from their album 55 to grace the Top 10, climbing 13-10.

Movin’ On Up

  • Tom Odell’s winning new composition “Magnetised” gets stuck outside of the Top 10 due to fierce competition.  Thanks to a bass-synth driven Kat Krazy remix it continues to get attention in the club scene.  “Magnetised” jumps 15-11.

  • It’s a fantastic, vivid story that will hold your interest throughout – Toronto-bases singer Joël’s “You Fucked Up” rises 14-12.

  • Ariana Grande’s “Into You” is one of her best songs, yet it seems to be still stuck behind many better ones!  We’ll see if she surpasses the #8 peak of “The Way” in the coming weeks.  “Into You” moves up 20-16.

  • The fastest riser on the chart is the gloriously feel good #1 dance anthem “So Happy” by Tony Moran featuring Jason Walker, which jumps 23-18.
  • Hand in hand with Embody’s “Dreamin'”, Rain Man has done exactly what his song says.  “Bring Back The Summer” (featuring Oly) is meant for sunshiny days and moves 24-20.
  • Nik Ernst’s “Stronger” is British deep house at its best, and given a slick edit by Dutchman Steve Void.  It climbs 25-21.

  • Built By Titan’s collaboration with Jesse McCartney on “Dangerous” is definitely turning heads as it bubbles under in the pop and dance genres.  “Dangerous” moves up 26-22.

Debuts

  • “Take Me Apart” is a thoughtful original by producers/remixers LZRD and Spirix featuring the flattering voice of Remmi.  Spirix of course is part of the teenage remix duo who bring us “So Bad” by Brandon Skeie at #1 too.  “Take Me Apart” is one of the most impressive new songs I’ve heard all year, so expect great things to happen for it in the coming weeks.  It arrives at #23 and is a free download – for now!
  • “Open Your Mind” by Chicago producer/remixer Megaphonix follows up his remixes of songs by Zedd, Jack Ü, and others which have got worldwide attention.  “Open Your Mind” is a joyous original slice of house which is perfect for Pride events.  It’s a free download and bows at #25.

And lastly…

  • “Worship” by Brandyn Burnette arrives at #28 from the freshly minted State I’m In EP which was released this past Friday.  “Worship” stands out as one of Brandyn’s best compositions, but there are many more to meet the ears in State I’m In which I haven’t yet written about, such as “Inner Child”, “Closer” (with John Lock), in which I keep hearing vocal phrasing from both MGMT’s “Electric Feel” and DNCE’s “Cake By The Ocean”, and “Set In Stone”.  State I’m In is another fantastic effort for Brandyn, admirably following up Made Of Dreams.  It’s available to buy on all platforms.

Listen to the songs or watch the videos using the links on the pictures on the pretty and detailed web edition of my chart. Go on, have a look and listen/watch :)

Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify!  Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify :)  BILLCS Top 30 Songs

http://www.planetradio.ca is back!  Listen for my Pick of the Week at 2:20/6:20/10:20 AM/PM EST Monday through Sunday (that’s 42 times in a week!), and my flashbacks to a Toronto Top 10 of yesteryear on Tuesday evening at 9pm EST:)

 

A Taste of NGHT LFE: @MiDisguise x @Rouseofficial with “Her And Him”

midisguise rouse

MI DISGUISE x ROUSE, “Her And Him”

L.A.’s ever-mysterious Mi Disguise is definitely one to watch in my books on the EDM scene with the creative sounds that have been brought your way thus far, including last year’s “East Side Bay”, as well as some of the best unreleased efforts you can hear on Soundcloud, such as the should-be-massive “Years Ago”.  Mi Disguise has teamed up with his buddy Rouse to create their NGHT LFE Vol. 1 mixtape, a varied mix of R&B and EDM that will attract fans of The Weeknd as easily as it will those of European-styled progressive house or US.-flavoured tropical house.  The standout song is “Her And Him” (below), enigmatic lovers of the NGHT LFE that you can find by a fire near their cool car on an L.A. beach.  This one’s as much emotional EDM as it is for NGHT LFE driving.  Other notable songs to check out on NGHT LFE Vol. 1 are “Don’t You Want My Name” and “Ride”.  Can’t wait for Vol. 2!  Pick up NGHT LFE Vol. 1 on iTunes.

@Billie_R_Martin conquers dance clubs once again with “The Glittering Gutter”

BILLIE RAY MARTIN, “The Glittering Gutter” (Dave Audé radio edit)

British pop/dance singer Billie Ray Martin has never been away from making music for very long, though it’s been over 20 years already since “Your Loving Arms” would be heard relentlessly in dance clubs throughout 1995/96 and evermore on 90’s nights.  Billie Ray recently landed once again in the Top 20 of the Billboard Club Play chart with “The Glittering Gutter”, which has an array of dance mixes to choose from.  But it’s the Grammy winning Dave Audé’s radio edit which is the real zinger, accompanied by an odd, slightly creepy video which reminds me a lot of F.W. Murnau’s German expressionist post WWI films.  From her album The Soul Tapes, “The Glittering Gutter” is a return to 90’s styled house music at its best with a dynamic vocal by Billie Ray.  Dance music fans never forget and when a track is so good like “The Glittering Gutter” then that only means demand for more from performers like Billie Ray Martin.  It’s available for purchase on most platforms.

Simply sexy disco music: “Intimate” in the Private Mix single edit by @SIRPAUL

SIRPAUL, “Intimate” (SIRPAUL Private Mix single edit)

Following the many mixes of the single releases from his late 2013 album Seventh Star, SIRPAUL (who now divides his time between NYC and L.A.) returns with more dance music to fill your head with sexy (or more) thoughts with “Intimate”, from his new album Intimate Science.  While the single is off and running, SIRPAUL has also dropped this free “Private Mix” single edit which to me is even better than the original!  It’s a huge throwback to the classic disco days ca. 1977 when similarly naughty dance music was in abundance, such as Musique’s “In The Bush”, Poussez’s “Come On And Do It”, “Follow Me” by Amanda Lear, and many more.  “Intimate” in its “private mix” fits in so well along side both those classics and similar high flying fare, such as the latest singles by Dave Audé and Andy Bell.  Never underestimate the power of a SIRPAUL record, it can instantly get inside your skin!  Download “Intimate” at the link above.

Canada’s #IanThomas returns to his classic hits with the orchestral redux of “The Runner”

IAN THOMAS, “The Runner”

Canada’s Ian Thomas is noted for one 1974 smash south of the border and in parts of the world, and that is the classic Top 40 hit “Painted Ladies”.  But after that, and very much like another Canadian who only struck once in the U.S., Jann Arden (“Insensitive”), Ian maintained a steady career in Canada both as a solo rock performer up to the mid-80’s and in the 90’s as a member of the much-praised band The Boomers.  In the 2000’s Ian has been recording and performing off and on in Lunch At Allen’s with Murray McLauchlan, Marc Jordan, and Cindy Church.  He returned to solo work after almost 20 years in 2012, and is back now with an album recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra called A Life In Song.  “The Runner” is put forward as the featured song.  It’s the title song from his 1981 album, and also became a massive North American hit as recorded by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (with vocals by Chris Thompson) in 1984.  Ian’s redux recalls the Manfred Mann version more than his own and is married with the majestic sound of the Philharmonic.  It’s definitely a stylish reinvention that captures the sweeping intent of the original song.  Ian Thomas fans will also want to hear hits like “Painted Ladies”, “Right Before Your Eyes”, and “Pilot” given the same treatment.  This all very much reminds me of how EDM trio Above & Beyond recently recorded (and performed live) in their Acoustic II album.  “The Runner” is definitely back to pass on the flame again in 2016.

Snappy and dapper: “Lovesick” by @JacobWhitesides

JACOB WHITESIDES, “Lovesick”

18 year old Tennessee native Jacob Whitesides first came to our attention as a newly minted teen on “X Factor”, and has since acquired a worldwide following on social media while being a mainstay on Radio Disney.  Jacob is definitely looking towards a more refined sound with “Lovesick”, which is more apt to recall Michael Bublé or Matt Dusk than Shawn Mendes.  It’s definitely a big step up to the plate and it works beautifully thanks to Jacob’s easy fit into a jazzy pop style that will keep your toes tapping long after its over.  The playful video is eye-catching with Jacob and his cohorts all in stylish suits.  Check it out above and pick up “Lovesick” on iTunes.

Pensive alt.rock “State I’m In”, title song from @BrandynBurnette’s new EP

https://soundcloud.com/brandynburnette/state-im-in

BRANDYN BURNETTE, “State I’m In”

Brandyn’s next EP itself is on deck now for June 24, but its title song has arrived.  It’s one of Brandyn’s most different songs, a song that he started to write as a kid and finished as an adult.  It’s cool that the same basis for the song has resonated that long.  The song is pensive, positive alt.rock with soulful edges about looking for a better way of dealing with everything, and sometimes knowing that parts of that change must be made hand-in-hand with someone else, creating a more enjoyable ride as two.   As always Brandyn receives excellent musical support and vocals ring nothing but sincere.  On a side note, I think Win & Woo and Kiso Armic could tackle another remix here 😉  Pick up “State I’m In” on iTunes ahead of the EP’s release.

@weInstantKarma give extra sparkle to @ChelseaLankes’ “Bullet”

CHELSEA LANKES, “Bullet” (Instant Karma remix)

Those talented gals called Instant Karma are back with another unique spin on a song that’s getting a lot of attention online.  It’s “Bullet” by Texas-born, L.A.-based singer Chelsea Lankes, which stands alone as a fine, well-sung pop breakup song.  But Instant Karma give it extra sheen, making its melody sparkle and glisten in an official EDM remix setting while retaining the song’s perspective.  Breaking up and letting loose in a club on the dance floor have always gone together well, and this glowing remix should help call more attention to “Bullet” and its talented singer.  Listen above and pick it up on iTunes.

It is a wild party: “Bottle Swervice” by @Herobust gets a @MNYKR x @Snowmassbeats makeover

https://soundcloud.com/snowmass/herobust-bottle-swervice-mnykr-snowmass-remix

HEROBUST, “Bottle Swervice” (MNYKR & Snøwmass remix)

Want a song to put some krazy BOOOM into your dance floor party mix?  You’ve been warned: look no further than “Bottle Swervice” by Herobust as madeover in inventive fashion by remixers MNYKR and Snøwmass.  The song is pretty wild in the first place, mixing up aggressive hip hop with futuristic EDM.  But MNYKR and Snowmass take it several steps further into a deep down and dirty trap place that may make you a tad anxious with its massive goings on while it all just breezes by.  Play it loud, startle your crowd, and make ’em bounce – mission accomplished!  Døwnløad it før free at the link abøve.

#KPop and #EDM Pop done right: “Into You” by @KOLAJband x @EricNamofficial

KOLAJ x ERIC NAM, “Into You”

“Into You” is one of those WOW records that gets you from the first few verses and the exchange of attractive, soaring female/male vocals.  KOLAJ is an EDM duo who have already been signed to Interscope but have paired up nonetheless with K-Pop star Eric Nam for “Into You” – and the buzz of the day online as a result has been about “K-TROP”.  Indeed the song has a bright, tropical vibe and lush saxophone riffing that heightens the romantic tension offered by the two vocalists.  Despite the focus on dance music, “Into You” is quite the pristine pop record too (not to be confused with the Ariana Grande song of the same name) and could be one of those kind of breakout records.  Kudos to everyone involved on this fine pairing, I’m very excited about it, and you can pick up “Into You” on all platforms.